West Bengal seeks return of Central forces in Hills

Kolkata: The state on Friday yet again urged the Centre to deploy Central forces in Darjeeling, which has been witnessing unrest for more than twenty days now with the Gorkha JanMukti Morcha (GJM) observing its indefinite bandh over the separate state of Gorkhaland.

Soon after violence broke out in the Hills following the CM’s Cabinet meeting on June 8, the state requested for 10 companies of CRPF. However, the Centre sent four companies of central women forces and four companies of Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB). “We have requested the Centre to withdraw the seven companies that were sent earlier and instead send 10 companies of CRPF,” director general of police Surajit Kar Purakayasthya told reporters at the state secreteriat Nabanna.

Reiterating the strong stand on the part of the government, the DGP said that strong action would be taken against those that vandalised property. “The ongoing protest is destructive in nature and at times has taken the form of an extremist movement. The police have shown enough restrain. But it would not tolerate any kind of extremism. The government will take strong action against the agitators for vandalising property,” Mr Purakayasthya said. Another senior IPS officer Raj Kanojia, DG (Homeguard) was posted in the Hills on Friday.

The DGP also announced that the state government would provide a compensation of Rsw 2.5 lakh to the family of Aniket Chhetri, a truck driver who died after GJMM supporters set his truck ablaze a few days ago.